In-office whitening
A high-concentration gel is applied with your gums isolated, usually in three short cycles over about an hour. It is the fastest route, typically several shades in one appointment, and it is the right choice before a wedding, reunion, or photo session.
Custom take-home trays
Trays made from impressions of your teeth hold a lower-concentration gel against the enamel with no leakage onto the gums. Worn 30 to 60 minutes nightly for one to two weeks, results rival in-office whitening and are easier to touch up later.
Strips and store-bought kits
Strips do lighten teeth, but the gel is weaker and the strip does not contour to crowded teeth, so results are patchy. Boil-and-bite trays leak gel onto the gums and cause most of the irritation people blame on whitening.
Crowns and veneers do not whiten
Porcelain and composite keep their original shade. If you have front-tooth restorations, whiten first, then match new restorations to the lighter shade.
Key takeaways
- •Custom trays offer the best value and easiest touch-ups.
- •Whiten before replacing any front-tooth restorations.
- •Sensitivity is usually manageable with potassium nitrate gel and shorter wear time.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis. Your situation deserves an exam.